Katya Brunette

Ph.D. 2009

Thesis Title:

Early Iron Deficiency Alters Structure of Pyramidal Neuron Apical Dendrites and Expression of Genes Associated with Dendrite Development in Hippocampus During Development and in Adulthood in Spite of Early Response to Iron Treatment

Current Position:

Research Technologist
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Surgery Department

Undergraduate Institution and Major/Degree:

Hamilton College BA in Neuroscience

Major Advisor(s):

Research Description:

My primary research interest is to understand normal and iron deficient dendrite development in CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons. We are looking at changes while the brain is iron deficient, as well as long term changes after iron repletion, which may suggest a sensitive period for specific growth processes. I have observed structural changes with Golgi staining, in addition to changes in transcript using qPCR, in our dietary iron deficiency model. I will be continuing to look at changes in protein levels and localization of selected genes of interest to further support the observed structural changes. These changes may provide support for the functional and behavioral data from the dietary rat model as well as data from the clinical population with perinatal brain iron deficiency.

Lab Rotations:

Robert Miller

Geoff Ghose

Neal Viemeister

Michael Georgieff

Courses Taken Beyond the Core Courses:

Psy 8060 - The Pathophysiology of Anxiety

MUS 5230 - Women's Chorus

CPSY 8301 - Developmental Cognitive Psychology

CPSY 8360 - Proseminar: Neurobehavioral Development

GCD 5036 - Molecular and Cellular Biology

GRAD 8101 - Teaching in Higher Education

GRAD 8102 - Practicum For Future Faculty

Awards:

Center for Neurobehavioral Development Travel Award - Fall 2007

Conferences Attended:

Society for Neuroscience annual meeting - Fall 2004

Attended and Presented a Poster at a Gordon Research Conference
(Spring 2007) Dendrites: Molecules, Structure, and Function